Inflatable garment form



Nov. 18, 1969 G. E. DAYTON ET AL 3,478,941

INFLATABLE GARMENT FORM Filed NOV. 14, 1968 l N VEN TORS 652 T2005 E United States Patent O Int. Cl. A41h 5/02 U.S. Cl. 223-67 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An expandable garment form is disclosed herein having a base adapted to house a pressurized gas system and an inflatable member in fluid communication therewith. A decorative lid is provided enclosing the inflatable form in its stored condition and is removable so that the inllatable member can be selectively expanded by release of the pressurized gas in the system whereby the base serves as an anchor for the expanded form. A preformed pattern member confines the inflatable member so that the inflatable member assumes the contour of the pattern member. Expansion of the inflatable member may take the form of inflating the entire interior of the member or by inflating a chamber defined by a double wall construction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This invention relates to inflatable garment forms and, more particularly, to a novel expandable form having an inflatable member normally stored in a collapsed condition within a decorative enclosure and being selectively expanded from the enclosure by means of inflation out of its stored position to an expanded condition to assume the contour of a preshaped figure pattern member.

Description of the prior art It is a common practice in the dress-making and tailoring professions to make a cloth form or pattern from some relatively coarse material and then mount the pattern on a clothes dummy or standard to be used for the purpose of fitting dresses, coats or other garments. The pattern is first made to the precise measurements of an individual so that it may accurately represent the person who will not thereafter have to appear in person each time it is necessary to have a fitting. The use of cloth forms and patterns also obviates the necessity for protracted periods of standing during the fitting operation.

Conventionally, the clothes dummy or standard is constructed in the form of a fixed frame depending from an upright stanchion over which the cloth form or pattern is mounted in an interference fit. However, since the pattern `will have a different contour from person to person, certain voids and spaces generally appear which are difficult to compensate when a garment is being made. To alleviate this problem, some clothes forms or standards are inflatable or have inflatable portions which cause the covering of the supporting form or standard to occupy the voids and spaces between the covering and the form so that a true representation of the desired contour is achieved. In thislatter instance, it sometimes happens that the inflatable portions are not in the areas needed for expansion of the standard covering to correspond with the contour of the pattern or, when the entire standard is to be inflated, problems and difficulties occur with providing a suitable inllating system adapted to be used repeatedly.

Of perhaps more significance `when dealing with inflatable forms is the problem of storage when the form is not in use and yet to provide an adequate inflation sys- Patented Nov. 18, 1969 tem as well as an inflatable member that is convenient for the user. Conventional inflatable garment forms are characterized by their unsightliness as well as incapacity to be stored in a convenient and decorative manner. Examples of conventional inflatable forms are disclosed in U.S. Letters Patent 2,445,458; 1,889,659 and 2,985,344. These prior art clothes form devices suffer from the difficulties encountered above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the difficulties encountered with conventional inflatable garment forms are obviated by the present invention which provides an inflatable member having one end thereof anchored to a supporting base enclosing a pressurized gas system in a first compartment that is in fluid communication with the inflatable member via a valve means. The base further includes a second compartment adjacent the first compartment adapted to store the inflatable member in a collapsed condition. A removable lid encloses the collapsed form so as to provide, in conjunction with the base, a decorative article adapted to be placed in a room to complement the decor.

A preshaped pattern form having an open bottom adapted to receive the inflatable member during expansion thereof restricts expansion in a predetermined manner so that the shape of the fully expanded inflatable member corresponds to the contour of the pattern. In this fashion, the shaped pattern is completely filled out and supported without sags, voids, looseness or the like by the expanded inflatable member.

It is among the primary objects of the present invention to provide a novel expandable garment form which is inflatable and collapsible and adapted to be readily adjusted to the size and shape of a particularl person to assure an accurate measurement and fit by garment makers in the making of a garment.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an inflatable garment form which includes an inflatable member of yieldable, expandable material adapted to receive a non-stretchable preshaped pattern form which is first adjusted to desired size and shape after which it is applied to the inflatable member which is then inflated to fill out the pattern to produce a garment form of a shape and size corresponding to the person and to which the garment to be made is fitted during the fabrication thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel inflatable garment form having an inflatable member adapted to be placed inside a preformed pattern member having a preshaped contour so that upon inflation of the inflatable member, the contour of the pattern is assumed by the inflatable member and when inflated, the inflatable member serves to totally support and stabilize the contoured pattern.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel, inflatable and collapsible garment form which requires a minimum of effort to set up and which may be deflated and packed away with a minimum consumption of storage space.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel inflatable and collapsible garment form which is readily housed in a decorative housing adapted to enhance the decor of the room in which it is placed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the inflatable garment form of the present invention illustrated in its stored condition and partially broken away to illustrate the infiatable member and a pressurized gas inflation means;

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to that of FIGURE 1 showing the decorative lid removed from the base preparatory to expansion of the inflatable member;

FIGURE 3 are reduced front elevational views showing the inflatable member expanded from its stored condition and being supported by the base. A preshaped pattern form member or jacket is also shown preparatory to receiving the inflatable member;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view, in section, of the inflatable member and pattern or jacket member as taken in the region of arrows 4 4 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged sectional View of the base showing the attachment means coupling the inflatable member to the base in fluid communication with the pressurized gas source;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary view, in section, of a modified version of the inflatable member for use in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of another modified version of the inflatable member; and

FIGURE 8 is a side elevational view of still another version of the present invention incorporating a foot pump for expanding the inflatable member.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The novel inflatable garment form of the present invention is illustrated in the general direction of arrow 10 which includes a base 11 having a bottom compartment 12 and an intermediate compartment 13 adjacent to the bottom compartment and separated therefrom by a partition 14. Compartment 13 is employed to enclose a thinwalled inflatable member 15 when the inflatable member is collapsed for storage purposes. The lower compartment 12 is employed to house a pressurized gas system which may take the form of pressurized and rechargeable air cylinders 16 and 17 arranged in side-by-side relationship and -securely held to the base by means of an attachment means 18. The inflatable member is in fluid communication with the pressurized gas system via conduits 20 which include a manually operated turn-on and shut-off valve 21 as well as a suitable pressure gauge 22.

The end of intermediate compartment 13 opposite to its end defined by partition 14, is enclosed by a removable lid 23 that is coaxially disposed with respect to the base 11 and is adapted to seat on the end of the circular wall defining the base 11. The lid 23 is provided with decorative articles such as artificial plants indicated by numeral 24 so that the overall appearance of the base and lid is decorative and simulates a house planter. The side wall of the lid and base may be suitably decorated with designs or other ornamental markings so that the appearance of the base and lid will enhance the decor of a room in which the device is stored when not in use. For moving the apparatus from one place to another, handles 25 may be secured to the side wall of the base 11 that may be readily grasped by the hands of the user and carried from place to place.

Referring now in detail to FIGURE 2, it can be seen that the lid 23 is removable from the upper wall edge of the base 11 so that a portion of the inflatable member 15 is exposed. The lower end of the base 11 is provided with a door 26 hingeably carried thereon so that the user may have access to the valve 21 and pressure gauge 22. Preferably, the inflatable member 15 is folded and stored within the base 11 so that upon turning of valve 21, the inflatable member will quickly expand through the opening at the top of base 11 into its fully expanded condition as shown in the direction of arrow 27 in FIG- URE 3.

Referring now to FIGURE 3 in detail, the expanded inflatable member shown in the direction of arrow 27 CII is generally shaped in a manner to represent the torso of the human body. The extreme top of the inflatable member terminates in a neck closure piece 28 forming a complete airtight chamber so that the pressurized gas supplied to member 15 will not escape. If preferred, the member 15 may be provided with lateral extensions 29 and 30, respectively, which are joined to the member 15 at the shoulders on either side of the neck piece 28. However, it is to be understood that the inclusion of these extensions, which simulate arms for fabricating garment sleeves, is not necessary to the present invention and when it is not desired to use these extensions, they may be disposed within the interior of the expanded inflatable member 15 such as is indicated in broken lines by the numerals 31 and 32, respectively. Preferably, the material of the inflatable member 15 is composed of a stretchable fabric or material so that the overall dimensions of the basic form of the inflatable member will increase in dimension as additional pressure is exerted from the interior by the introduction of the pressurized gas thereto.

The present invention further includes a shaped pattern form or jacket member 33 which is preferably composed of a rigid fabric such as canvas or the like. The pattern form member may be stored in the base on top of the folded inflatable member when not in use. The pattern member 33 is made of non-stretchable material and is intended to fit next to the inflatable member when the member` is expanded. The inflatable member may be expanded within the pattern member 33 by inserting the top of the inflatable member through the open bottom of the pattern member durin-g the expanding procedure or, if desired, the pattern member 33 may be pulled down over the inflated member 15 after expansion. Initially, the pattern member 33 is made to the precise dimensions and measurements of an individual so that it may accurately represent the person who will thereafter wear the garment fabricated through the use of the present invention. To this end, the pattern member 33 may include a preformed neckline 34 and arm holes 35 and 36. The jacket or pattern member 33 is illustrated disposed about the exterior surface of the inflatable member 15 in the general direction of arrow 37. When the jacket or pattern member has been so combined with the inflatable member, the assembladge is fully supported by the base 11 and the form is ready for use.

Referring now to FIGURE 4, it can be seen that the jacket or pattern member 33 lies adjacent to the external surface of the expanded inflatable member 15 and that the adjacent walls of the pattern member and inflatable member are in close frictional engagement due to expandable pressure of the gas within the inflatable member 15.

In FIGURE 5, fluid communication is illustrated between the inflatable member 15 and the conduit 20 which includes a fitting 38 connecting the conduit 20 through partition 14 into the interior of the inflatable member 15. The lower end of the inflatable member is secured to a pan 40 having an annular wall about which the inflatable member is secured by means of clamp 41 which is drawn about the bottom of member 15 against the exterior surface of the annular wall. By this means, if desired, the inflatable member may be removed from base 10 after the coupling for attachment 38 to the partition 14 has been removed.

Referring now to FIGURE 6, another version of the present invention is illustrated in which the inflatable member 15 is a double-walled so as to provide an outer wall 42 and an inner wall 43 to define a chamber 44 therebetween. In this version, conduit 20 is directly coupled through the inner wall 43 so as to be influid communication with chamber 44. Clamp 41 secures the walls 42 and 43 together about the annular Wall of pan 40 so that an airtight enclosure is provided. By this construction, the pressurized gas is introduced into chamber 44 which will expand the entire inflatable member. A

reduced amount of -gas is required for expansion than is required when the entire internal chamber of member is occupied by the pressurized gas as in the embodiment shown in FIGURE 3.

The inflatable form as shown in FIGURE 7 illustrates that the arm extensions 28 and 30 may be readily disposed within the interior of the member when not in use for fabricating a sleeveless garment. The extensions are tucked through the shoulder openings and are therefore, internally stored.

In FIGURE 8, the lower compartment 12 serves as an air chamber which is provided with pressurized air developed by a pump 45 that may be either hand operated or foot operated. The conduit may be employed to interconnect pump 45 directly with the interior of inflatable member 15 or directly into lower chamber or compartment 12,

Therefore, in view of the foregoing, it can be seen that the novel inflatable dress form of the present invention provides an inllatable form for receiving and supporting a preshaped pattern which is first applied to a person for whom a garment is to be made and fabricated so as to conform to the size and shape of the person. The inllatable member is constructed of a stretchable material and is of the general shape of a users torso. However, it is to be understood that the inflatable member may also include leg portions, arm portions or the like so as to be applicable for the fabrication of garments such as shorts, trousers, garments with or without sleeves, and so forth. It is also to be understood that the inllatable member may be constructed in two halves which are separated by a partition so that each half of the inflatable member may be inflated separately. Also, the central partition dividing a two-chambered inflatable member would offer added support when the inflatable member has been fully expanded.

The preshaped pattern form is mounted on the inflatable member and is supported thereby which in turn within the inflatable member anchored to the base. The preshaped pattern form is next applied to the inflatable form and the inflatable form is inflated until the pattern form is fully expanded.

A replica of the shape of the person is therefore provided and may be used for obtaining the desired measurements in the making of a -garment and for fitting the garment thereto during the making of the same. It will be understood that the preshaped pattern form may be made to fit forms of a limited amount of sizes, but it is believed that three basic forms will be capable of adjustment to all sized persons. From the foregoing description, it will be seen that a novel garment form is provided which may be accurately adjusted to the form of a person for whom a garment is to be made and which may be collapsed when not in use for packing and storage purposes as a decorative article.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects, and, therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An expandable garment form comprising:

a base having at least one storage compartment;

an inflatable member secured at one end to said base and adapted to be collapsed for storage in said storage compartment in its deflated condition;

means operably coupled to said inllatable member for effecting the inflation thereof to its fully expanded condition extending in an upright position through a selected end of said base; and

a pattern member preformed to the contour of an individual disposed about said inllatable member in its expanded condition so that said inflatable member assumes the shape of said pattern member.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 including a decorative lid removably seated on said selected end of said base to enclose said inllatable member therein when in said deflated condition.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said base includes a second storage compartment;

said inflation means comprising a source of pressurized gas disposed in said second storage compartment; and

conduit means interconnecting said source to said inflatable member.

4. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said inflation means comprises a manually operated bellows pump.

5. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said inflatable member is composed of a stretchable material of single wall thickness and is preformed to assume the configuration of a human body.

6. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said inflatable member is composed of a stretchable material and having a double Wall thickness so as to define a sealed chamber between the opposing wall surfaces of said double walls; and

said inflation means being in uid communication with said chamber.

7. The invention as defined in claim 1 including a pin having an annular side wall; and

clamp means releasably securing one end of said inflatable member to said annular wall.

8. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said inllatable member includes elongated, lateral inflatable extensions disposed on opposite sides thereof to simulate arms and said extensions adapted to be tucked into the interior of said inflatable member in its expanded condition when not in use.

9. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said pattern member is composed of non-stretchable material.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,889,659 11/1932 Hoffman 223--67 2,529,125 11/1950 Barbara 223-67 2,740,565 4/ 1956 Wells 223-67 3,405,852 10/1968 Fox 223--67 MERVIN STEIN, Primary Examiner G. V. LARKIN, Assistant Examiner 

